UTU (Revenge)

[iGuest 3]

Set in 1870's New Zealand, Utu is a film about revenge. Utu is a Maori word which means justice, Maori justice. Te Wheke (Anzac Wallace) is a Maori who serves as a Lance Corporal in the colonial army. A new strategy of "controlling" the natives has been put into effect, that of surprise attacks on small villages where everyone is killed and the village burned. Te Wheke comes upon such a scene, after the attack, and finds his entire family has been slain. He turns and kills the nearest white man, a fellow soldier. He vows to seek revenge for his murdered family members and sets off an uprising that the colonial forces seem unable to quell. Te Wheke and his band of revolutionaries use guerilla tactics to evade the army and build increasing support for their movement. It's hard to imagine a more frightening sight than that of Te Wheke, face fully tattooed, eyes wild, with his tongue flicking in and out of his mouth (Maori style) as he approaches his victim, hatchet held ready.

While seeking revenge from the white man, the rebel Maoris also realize that they must dissolve past tribal conflicts that have kept the Maori groups warring with each other. Now, with a united cause, they must examine their own warrior culture. Anzac Wallace, who plays Te Wheke, was a first time actor and did a fantastic job with the role. Supporting cast were all excellent, especially Bruno Lawrence who plays Williamson, a man who tried desperately to defend against Te Wheke and his men while they destroyed his home and killed his wife. He goes on his own vengeful mission to kill Te Wheke.

http://www.1worldfilms.com/utu.htm

From: "Waiheke"

"A note for pakehas: The word "utu" has a more balanced meaning than "revenge". It is well-translated as ""lex talionis", or the law of "an eye for an eye". It has something of the flavour of a Golden Rule; "only do unto others what they did unto you." The important thing is that genuine utu was fairly honourable behaviour."